Wikipedia

AWAL

Not to be confused with Awal or AWOL.

AWAL is a global recording business that claims to serve as an alternative to the traditional record label, offering deal structures that provide artists with the resources and expertise of a global label while allowing them to retain ownership and control of their music.[4] In 2021, Sony Music Entertainment purchased AWAL from Kobalt Music Group for $430 million.[5][6]

AWAL
Parent companyKobalt Music Group (2012–2021)
Sony Music Entertainment (SME) (2021–present)
Founded1997 (1997)[1]
FounderDenzyl Feigelson[2]
Kevin Bacon[1]
Jonathan Quarmby[1]
StatusActive
Distributor(s)The Orchard
Proper Music Distribution (physical, ROW)[3]
Genre
Country of originUnited Kingdom
LocationLondon
Official websitewww.awal.com

Services

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AWAL's services include global marketing and creative services, A&R, playlist & radio promotion, publicity, synch, and brand partnerships, and access to real-time comprehensive music data and insights.[7] In November 2018, Billboard wrote an article titled, "Can Kobalt Disrupt the Label Game With AWAL," outlining the company's approach and how it pays out as much as 80 percent of streaming revenue to its artists.[4] In March 2017, AWAL introduced its music analytics app designed to collect and display data from an artist's Spotify and Apple Music presence.[8]

History

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AWAL US was originally founded in 1997 by Denzyl Feigelson in Ojai CA, with mentorship help from founding member Andrew Ungerleider, and then joined forces in 2004 with record producers Kevin Bacon and Jonathan Quarmby.[1] [better source needed] In December 2012, AWAL UK was acquired by the Kobalt Music Group and operated as the company's digital music distribution arm.[9]

In January 2018, Lonny Olinick was named CEO of Kobalt's recording division.[10] By March 2018, Kobalt announced it was investing $150 million into AWAL and that all of Kobalt's recording business would be combined under the AWAL brand.[11] AWAL acquired In2une Music in June 2018, which provides multi-format radio promotion to independent labels and artists.[12] AWAL announced a strategic partnership with independent label, Glassnote Records, in November 2018.[13] Other notable announcements from the company include signing artists such as Steve Lacy,[14] Finneas, Little Simz,[15] girl in red,[16] deadmau5,[17] JVKE, Jungle,[18] Disclosure,[19] Rex Orange County,[20] Tom Misch,[21] and Laufey.

In November 2018, AWAL was named on Billboard's 2018 Digital Power Players - Music Groups list.[22] In April 2023, AWAL was named on Billboard's 2023 International Power Players list.[23] Later that year, Billboard named AWAL's Lonny Olinick, Pete Giberga, and Paul Hitchman to their 2023 Indie Power Players list.[24]

AWAL has offices in London, New York, Los Angeles, Berlin, Stockholm, Mexico City, Madrid, Mumbai,[25] Rio de Janeiro, Sydney, Paris[26] and Toronto.[27]

On September 7, 2021, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the United Kingdom's antitrust regulator raised concerns that Sony's purchase of AWAL would reduce competition from other distributors. The CMA gave Sony and AWAL five days to address the CMA's concerns and offer legally binding remedies, or else the CMA would enter a Phase 2 investigation.[28] The phase two investigation was launched on September 16, 2021.[29] Following a consultation that ended on March 4, 2022, the CMA officially cleared the deal on March 16, 2022.[30]

Notable artists

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Record labels

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Albums released

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See also: Category:AWAL albums and Category:AWAL EPs

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Lindvall, Helienne (2 September 2010). "Behind the music: Awal keeps digital royalties from going awol". Theguardian.com. Retrieved 2018-03-31.
  2. ^ Ingham, Tim (31 March 2020). "Denzyl Feigelson: Once you help an artist build a robust business, a lot starts to happen for them". Musicbusinessworldwide.com. Retrieved 2021-03-03.
  3. ^ "AWAL Signs Global Physical Distribution Agreement with Proper Music Group". Digital Music News. 5 June 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Can Kobalt Disrupt the Label Game With AWAL?". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  5. ^ Aswad, Jem (February 1, 2021). "Sony Music Acquires Kobalt's Label and Neighboring Rights for $430 Million". Variety.com.
  6. ^ Frater, Patrick (May 20, 2021). "Sony Music Completes Acquisition of AWAL and Kobalt Neighboring Rights; U.K. Initiates Post-Mortem Probe". News.yahoo.com.
  7. ^ "How it works - AWAL". Awal.com.
  8. ^ "Kobalt's AWAL Releases New App That Simplifies Streaming Data for Artists". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  9. ^ "Kobalt Expands Into Label Services With Major Acquisition". Music Row. 23 January 2012.
  10. ^ "Kobalt Appoints Lonny Olinick to Recording Division CEO". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  11. ^ "Kobalt Boosts Its AWAL Brand With $150M Investment, Seeks 100 New Hires". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  12. ^ "Kobalt's AWAL acquires radio promo company in2une". Music Business Worldwide. 2018-06-07. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  13. ^ "Glassnote Music Announces Partnership With Kobalt Music's AWAL". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  14. ^ "The Internet's Steve Lacy signs to Kobalt's AWAL". Musicweek.com. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  15. ^ ""There's huge opportunity for her globally": AWAL announces worldwide partnership deal with Little Simz". Musicweek.com. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  16. ^ "AWAL signs worldwide recordings deal with girl in red". Music Business Worldwide. 2019-12-03. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  17. ^ Mercuri, Monica (2018-07-26). "deadmau5 Signs New Worldwide Deal With AWAL: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  18. ^ "AWAL signs British electronic duo Jungle to global recordings deal". Music Business Worldwide. 2021-03-24. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  19. ^ Bain, Katie (2023-07-12). "Disclosure to Release New Album This Week". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  20. ^ "Rex Orange County's new album, Pony, to arrive next month via Sony Music". Music Business Worldwide. 2019-09-19. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  21. ^ "AWAL extends deal with Tom Misch for forthcoming album". Music Business Worldwide. 2021-04-26. Retrieved 2023-08-14.
  22. ^ "Revealed: Billboard's 2018 Digital Power Players". Billboard. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  23. ^ Duffy, Thom (2023-04-25). "Billboard's 2023 International Power Players Revealed". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  24. ^ Rys, Dan (2023-06-12). "Billboard's 2023 Indie Power Players Revealed". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-07-26.
  25. ^ "AWAL launches in India and South Asia". Music Week. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  26. ^ "AWAL - Company". AWAL. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  27. ^ "AWAL expands into Canada with new Toronto office". Music Business Worldwide. 2018-12-11. Retrieved 2018-12-20.
  28. ^ Smirke, Richard (September 7, 2021). "U.K. Watchdog Finds Sony's AWAL Deal Raises 'Significant Competition Concerns'". Billboard.
  29. ^ "CMA launches in-depth phase two investigation of Sony Music's AWAL acquisition". Musicweek.com.
  30. ^ "SONY MUSIC'S $430M ACQUISITION OF AWAL OFFICIALLY CLEARED BY UK COMPETITION WATCHDOG". Musicbusinessworldwide.com. 16 March 2022.
  31. ^ Moore, Sam (March 13, 2020). "Finn Wolfhard on new band The Aubreys: "We wanted to mix the craziness of Flaming Lips with the earnestness of Wilco"". Nme.com. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  32. ^ "Lauren Jauregi broke up with Sony and became completely independent". Pennsylvania News Today. 8 October 2021. Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
  33. ^ Major, Michael. "VIDEO: Lizzy McAlpine Releases 'All My Ghosts' Music Video". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  34. ^ "Simon Fuller's Global Pop Group Now United Signs Worldwide Deal With AWAL". Billboard. 2019-09-24. Retrieved 2020-08-15.
  35. ^ "Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - Push The Sky Away". AWAL. Archived from the original on December 14, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2012.
  36. ^ "US Open Champ Sloane Stephens Shares the Music That Keeps Her Energized". Spotify.com. August 27, 2021. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  37. ^ "Glassnote Music Announces Partnership With Kobalt Music's AWAL". Billboard. November 16, 2018.
  38. ^ "AWAL signs worldwide deal with UK-based independent label B-Unique". Music Business Worldwide. April 2, 2019.
  39. ^ "SideOneDummy Records Signs Worldwide Distribution Deal With AWAL". Billboard. April 29, 2019.
  40. ^ "AWAL signs worldwide recordings deal with girl in red". Music Business Worldwide. 2019-12-03. Retrieved 2022-07-06.
  41. ^ "Chess Club Records Gets Investment From Coran Capshaw, International Distribution From AWAL". Billboard Pro. March 14, 2019.
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